A prepared speech on modern day Spider-Man and an impromptu speech on ‘freedom’ has won Matthew Jayasuria a three-week holiday in Australia this December.
The Year 13 student came runner-up in the national final of the New Zealand Lions Clubs’ 2017 Young Speechmaker contest, which was held recently in Wellington.
Having placed 3rd in the regional competition back in July, Matthew went on to compete in the national final that required him to deliver a six-minute prepared speech and a two-minute impromptu speech.
Matthew’s prepared speech was based on “searching for a modern-day Spider-Man” – someone who lives a selfless life and isn’t afraid to go against the norm. In his speech, he discussed examples of people today who display similar traits to the fictional character including his Mum, Kanye West and Bill Gates. Matthew had to also deliver an impromptu speech on the topic of freedom, with only one minute to prepare.
Taking away the contest’s runner-up prize of a trip to Australia, Matthew now has a three-week holiday to look forward to this coming December.
The Lions Clubs of New Zealand offer youth (16-21 years of age) the opportunity to participate in a public speaking competition each year with the overall national prize being a four to six week trip to the United States/Canada.
Photo Caption: Finalists of the 2017 Young Speechmaker Contest (L-R) National NZ Lions Clubs Coordinator Brian Quinlan, winner Lauren Carr (Dannevirke), runner-up Matthew Jayasuria (Hamilton), 2nd runner-up Raphael Franks (Christchurch) and Oscar McGuire (Port Chalmers, Dunedin).
